Care homes stop work at 11am every day to spend 'quality time' with residents

Every day at 11am, all of the staff at the 72 care homes run by Runwood Homes come together and ‘down tools’ so they can spend ‘quality time’ with the residents.

The ‘tools down’ time applies to all staff including domestic, maintenance, admin, care and management.

For half an hour every day, staff stop their tasks to spend quality time with residents, including those who are limited to their bedrooms.

A spokesperson for Runwood Homes said: “We are embracing togetherness at Runwood Homes. The aim is to enjoy conversation, company and to grow companionships.

“We want to keep everyone connected with meaningful engagement and communication and this is in addition to the usual, ongoing, varied activities programme in each home.”

Runwood Homes has received positive feedback from residents over the initiative with comments such as "I thoroughly enjoy the one to one time" and "we’re spending time with the cooks who we don’t normally see very often".

Mel Oliver, manager of Woodbury Court care home in Laindon, Essex, has found that the "Down Tools initiative is an important part of the day where staff from all departments get to stop what they are doing and spend some quality time with the residents. Residents benefit from some meaningful engagement and interaction."

One resident, Harry, said, “I love it when the staff come in and chat with me, I get to hear all about what they have been up to, even the maintenance man comes to see me!”

Nikki Totton, manager of Loganberry Lodge care home in Stanway, Colchester said, “Tools Down in Loganberry Lodge is a great chance for all staff to take a breather and spend time creating lovely moments, enriching both residents and staff's lives.“

All Runwood care homes display ‘Down Tools’ posters as a reminder to all residents, visitors and staff members.

Sarah Smith, manager of Evelyn May House in Langdon Hills, Essex, has found "within Evelyn May House the staff and residents look forward to Tools Down. They enjoy doing different things every day. Some go and play the keyboard that we have in our home and others just look forward to a nice chat with staff”.

The company philosophy at Runwood Homes is ‘Dignity for Everyone, Everyday’.

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